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that hunting is not primary reason for elk project.

“Hunting is not the primary motivation behind the restoration of elk in Wisconsin,” Wallenfang said. “But an elk hunt is certainly in the long-term forecast. A viable elk herd should be good for the state’s economy, regardless of whether they are hunted.”

the full WON article follows.......

State-bound elk set for the next phase of move BY DAN SMALL CONTRIBUTING EDITOR February 19, 2015

Madison — The first step in the process of establishing an elk herd in Jackson County reached completion Feb. 9, when trapping of Kentucky elk ended for the winter.

A capture team consisting of Wisconsin DNR and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources staff trapped elk in the eastern coal fields region of Kentucky this winter. The captured elk were trucked to a holding pen where they are being held under quarantine for at least 30 days, after which time they will undergo testing for several diseases before being transported to Wisconsin. Once in Wisconsin, the elk will remain under quarantine for another 90 days before being released.

“This was a flawless operation,” said Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big-game ecologist. “We did not capture 50 elk, but that’s OK. Fifty was the maximum we could take this year under our five-year agreement.”

That agreement calls for the trapping of up to 50 cows, calves, and yearling bulls per year for a total of 150 animals.

This year the crews captured 28 elk. Testing and changing conditions during the quarantine period will determine how many elk travel to Wisconsin.

DNR biologists Mike Zeckmeister and Christine Priest head up the five-person Wisconsin team, which will remain in Kentucky during the quarantine period. The team will keep an eye on the elk and provide security for the quarantined animals.

The health tests and follow-up procedures are quite rigorous, according to Tami Ryan, DNR Wildlife Health Section chief. Disease testing and interstate movement of wild animals are regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and by the USDA.

“The captured elk will be tested for brucellosis, tuberculosis, blue tongue virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, and bovine viral diarrhea,” Ryan said. “If any animals test positive for brucellosis or tuberculosis, they will be culled and cultured. If any brucellosis or tuberculosis cultures come back positive, the entire group will be disqualified for translocation. Any individuals with positive reactors to the viral diseases will not be moved to Wisconsin.” The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Jackson County Wildlife Fund, and the Ho-Chunk Nation funded the trapping operation. Additional funding for the project came from other local businesses and groups, including a Black River Falls brewing company, which has introduced a beer to commemorate the elk reintroduction. The main state expense will be incurred in trucking the elk to Wisconsin.

“We did not spend much state money on this project,” Wallenfang said. “The crew has been staying for free in state park cabins and eating group meals. We rented some vehicles there because that was cheaper than taking all state-owned vehicles to Kentucky.”

The trapping operation was very mobile, Wallenfang said. Crew members scouted locations, then set up the trap corral panels where they found elk. The traps were baited with baled alfalfa, grains, and various “buck jam” liquids (apple, molasses, and acorn) attractive to elk. Warm weather, a lack of snow, and a good acorn crop made finding and trapping elk a challenge, Wallenfang said. The elk were not under winter stress at all.

“The Kentucky elk are feeding on grasses and other natural forage all winter long. It’s been quite warm there, and so the elk are not as easy to bait as they would be if it were cold and snowy,” he said.

On the last night of trapping, more than 50 elk were around the trap, but none entered the chute leading into the catch pen. Kentucky imported more than 1,500 elk from Kansas over several years starting in 1997. The Kentucky herd has grown to more than 15,000 animals. The elk trapped this winter were taken from areas with numerous complaints about nuisance elk, according to the Kentucky DFWR.

Wisconsin launched an experimental elk reintroduction program in 1995, when 25 elk were imported from Michigan and released near Clam Lake. That herd now numbers about 160 animals. Kentucky has more elk because it started with more, it has milder winters, and the state lacks bears and wolves – the main predators on elk calves.

“We’ve seen negative herd growth here only twice – last year and in 2001-02. Both of those declines were winter- related,” Wallenfang said.

The Jackson County elk range covers approximately 400 square miles, located east of Black River Falls. Most of this land lies within the Black River State Forest. Upon their arrival in Wisconsin, the elk will be held in a 7- acre pen to let them get acclimated to their new surroundings and complete their quarantine period. This should reduce the likelihood of elk traveling great distances once they are released.

If all goes well, the elk captured this winter will be moved to Wisconsin sometime in March. The timeline for the move is entirely dependent on the outcome of the health testing in Kentucky, Ryan said. If culturing is necessary, the animals will remain in Kentucky for an additional eight weeks before they are brought to Wisconsin. Before they are released in Wisconsin, the elk will be tested once more for tuberculosis.

“During the quarantine, we are providing animal caretaking for the duration to assure they are well fed and watered,” Ryan said. “We will maintain daily observations on their behavior and condition, and have a wildlife veterinarian providing oversight on animal care and treatment. If any animal health concerns should arise during quarantine, we will address them, as well as perform necropsies on any mortalities should they occur during quarantine.”

The transfer will not be accompanied by the fanfare some may recall from the 1995 transfer and release of elk to Clam Lake, when many guests and media were present and Gov. Tommy Thompson opened the truck doors.

“This will be a low-key event, Wallenfang said. “We’re doing everything we can to reduce stress on the animals.”

The current elk plan calls for a long-term goal of 1,400 elk in the Clam Lake herd and 390 elk in Jackson County. All elk captured this year will be released in Jackson County. Those captured in 2016 will be released in the Clam Lake area. Elk captured in the remaining years of the agreement will be divided between the two areas.

“Hunting is not the primary motivation behind the restoration of elk in Wisconsin,” Wallenfang said. “But an elk hunt is certainly in the long-term forecast. A viable elk herd should be good for the state’s economy, regardless of whether they are hunted.”

According to the Cable Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin’s elk herd currently generates more than $200,000 of revenue per year in the Clam Lake area. Larger elk herds in other states generate more than $1 million to local economies from wildlife viewing alone. A future elk-hunting season would generate additional funds for elk management and add revenue to local economies in Wisconsin.

What he should be doing is working on deer improvement within the state, especially in the north for future generations..........

Maybe the word in the wolf world will get out, because they are going to go nuts on that herd ........

You can not even manage deer, maybe they gave up, going to try something new

No Elk hunt for the white man. I feel certain the Indians will take part in a hunt on these new Elk no matter what the WDNR says.

We can have a wolf hunt if Walker would enact state law and flick the bird to the Feds.

Based on how fast the seasons closed this year it shouldn't take long to catch that many if everyone helped out trapping them.

Don't believe it? Read up on the recent history of mountain lion vs human attacks on Vancouver Island. Past logging produced great deer habitat...surging deer numbers supported same with cats. As forests matured again, eliminating deer browse, deer numbers plummeted. Cats were still there...what's next on the menu?

She's a dog lover...who isn't...and I know the loss of her bud would change her tune. They have lots of yotes down there also, and she's aware of the threat there.

I know this is an elk thread, and I'd love to see this succeed...but it is doomed to failure unless common sense prevails.

She's a dog lover...who isn't...and I know the loss of her bud would change her tune. They have lots of yotes down there also, and she's aware of the threat there.

I know this is an elk thread, and I'd love to see this succeed...but it is doomed to failure unless common sense prevails.

She figured they would do better in the future now that they know the area better and the landowners that they are working with. I guess cost would be the main down side with the lower number, costs almost the same to be there whether they get 28 or 50 in a year.

Here's Kevin Wallenfang of DNR talking about the elk reintroduction.

http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=9633

I know some people have hit on the wolves and how these elk from Kentucky are going to handle that. I think just like you or I we all have that fight or flight response. I don't think they are just going to stand there and let themselves be eaten.

I want to head up to Clam Lake this summer and just check it out. Even if I don't see any elk ...

If there is going to be zero chance to hunt them here. I'd just as soon hear them out west or even at a elk ranch.

You can't have elk if you don't try. I'm all for this especially since it's mostly privately funded. Elk bugle is pure adrenaline!!

You got that right

Yes, they are making money with the elk tourism in the fall. Also there are more shed hunters in the spring. Too many IMO.

Camp 2 dukes, you are right to be alarmed at this. Wallenfang is just one of many at the DNR that have great disdain for hunting/hunters. I have close family that works for the DNR. I have been told that the new trend for biologists and management in the DNR is more tree huggers, less outdoorsman types.

Rut, Wallenfang has a great disdain for hunting/hunters? This is the kind of misinformation that really makes me shake my head. Yes, Kevin Wallenfang, a Green Lake native, has a bachelor's degree in wildlife ecology from UW-Madison. That makes him a tree hugger? He is an avid big game hunter of multiple species, and has hunted bear from WI to Alaska. In between his current job and years ago as WI's assistant big game ecologist, he worked for Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pheasants Forever. While with RMEF he focused on preserving land and habitat for elk, and providing public access and permanent habitat protection through purchases and conservation easements.

Excerpt from 2011 story by Paul Smith:

"I enjoy challenges," Wallenfang said. "Big game is something that's really always been in my blood."

Wallenfang is an avid deer hunter in both archery and gun seasons. He has hunted moose, elk, caribou, pronghorn, bear and upland birds throughout North America.

"Some of my best memories are hunting with my dad when I was a kid, right here in Wisconsin," Wallenfang said. "My favorite time of year is the last couple weeks of October and first couple weeks of November."

Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/133754058.html

We have something in common,I also did/do that.